Spontaneous formation of domain wall lattices in two spatial dimensions

We show that the process of spontaneous symmetry breaking can trap a field theoretic system in a highly non-trivial state containing a lattice of domain walls. In one large compact space dimension, a lattice is inevitably formed. In two dimensions, the probability of lattice formation depends on the ratio of sizes L_x, L_y of the spatial dimensions. We find that a lattice can form even if R=L_y/L_x is of order unity. We numerically determine the number of walls in the lattice as a function of L_x and L_y.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures. Background material added and minor corrections included. Final version to be published in Phys. Rev.

The role of domain wall junctions in Carter's pentahedral model

The role of domain wall junctions in Carter's pentahedral model is investigated both analytically and numerically. We perform, for the first time, field theory simulations of such model with various initial conditions. We confirm that there are very specific realizations of Carter's model corresponding to square lattice configurations with X-type junctions which could be stable. However, we show that more realistic realizations, consistent with causality constraints, do lead to a scaling domain wall network with Y-type junctions. We determine the network properties and discuss the corresponding cosmological implications, in particular for dark energy.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure